U.S. patent application number 16/295639 was filed with the patent office on 2019-07-04 for brake caliper of a disc brake.
The applicant listed for this patent is KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH. Invention is credited to Tobias FISCHL, Wolfgang PRITZ.
Application Number | 20190203786 16/295639 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59811312 |
Filed Date | 2019-07-04 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190203786 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FISCHL; Tobias ; et
al. |
July 4, 2019 |
Brake Caliper of a Disc Brake
Abstract
A brake caliper of a disc brake includes tie bars which run
substantially parallel and at a distance from each other and which
interconnect a caliper back and a receiving area of a housing that
encloses brake application functional parts. The receiving area has
an approximately rectangular assembly opening closable by a closure
lid. The assembly opening includes longitudinal sides extending in
the direction of the tie bars and narrow sides extending
transversely to the long sides. The assembly opening is adjacent to
at least one flange which forms an undercut and a wall for the
receiving area on one of the narrow sides.
Inventors: |
FISCHL; Tobias; (Muenchen,
DE) ; PRITZ; Wolfgang; (Muenchen, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH |
Muenchen |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
59811312 |
Appl. No.: |
16/295639 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/EP2017/072157 |
Sep 5, 2017 |
|
|
|
16295639 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16D 55/226 20130101;
F16D 65/183 20130101; F16D 2250/0084 20130101; F16D 2055/0037
20130101; F16D 65/0075 20130101; F16D 2055/002 20130101; F16D
2200/0013 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16D 65/00 20060101
F16D065/00; F16D 55/226 20060101 F16D055/226 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 8, 2016 |
DE |
10 2016 116 793.2 |
Claims
1. A brake caliper of a disc brake, comprising: two tie rods
arranged substantially in parallel and at a spacing from one
another; a caliper back coupled to the two tie rods; a housing
having a receiving space configured to enclose brake application
parts, the receiving space having an approximately rectangular
assembly opening configured to be closed by a closure cover, the
rectangular assembly opening having longitudinal sides which extend
in the direction of the tie rods and narrow sides which extend
transversely with respect to the longitudinal sides, wherein the
assembly opening is delimited by at least one flange on one of the
narrow sides that defines an undercut and a wall of the receiving
space, the at least one flange extending adjacent to one of the
narrow sides of the assembly opening between the assembly opening
and one of the two tie rods.
2. The brake caliper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flange
delimits a pivoting space for assembling the brake application
parts in the receiving space.
3. The brake caliper as claimed in claim 2, wherein the flange is
arranged on a side of the receiving space which opposite a location
of an brake adjusting device.
4. The brake caliper as claimed in claim 3, wherein an outer
circumferential edge of the assembly opening adjacent to the flange
is formed as an elevated projection facing away from the receiving
space.
5. The brake caliper as claimed in claim 4, wherein the flange
extends over an entire height of the adjacent one of the narrow
sides of the assembly opening.
6. The brake caliper as claimed in claim 5, wherein the assembly
opening is arranged asymmetrically relative to center of the
receiving space in a direction parallel to a line between the two
tie rods.
7. The brake caliper as claimed in claim 6, wherein the flange is
arranged on an outlet side of the brake caliper.
8. The brake caliper as claimed in claim 7, wherein threaded bores
are provided exclusively on the longitudinal edges of the assembly
opening.
9. The brake caliper as claimed in claim 8, wherein a thickness of
the flange is smaller than a width of the flange between the
assembly opening and the one of the two tie rods.
10. The brake caliper as claimed in claim 1, wherein a level face
is configured in a part region of an externally-visible outer face
of the brake caliper.
11. The brake caliper as claimed in claim 10, wherein the level
face is arranged on an adjoining side of a dome configured to
receive a lever arm of a pivotable brake lever, the dome being
integrally formed with the housing.
12. The brake caliper as claimed in claim 11, wherein the level
face is a rectangle.
13. The brake caliper as claimed in claim 12, wherein the level
face is lowered with respect to an adjoining region of the brake
caliper.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of PCT International
Application No. PCT/EP2017/072157, filed Sep. 5, 2017, which claims
priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119 from German Patent Application
No. 10 2016 116 793.2, filed Sep. 8, 2016, the entire disclosures
of which are herein expressly incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a brake caliper of a disc
brake.
[0003] As a constituent part of a disc brake, in particular for a
commercial vehicle, the brake caliper serves mainly to receive
functional parts which are required for brake operation. These
include, above all, a brake application device and an adjusting
device for compensating for an air gap which changes in a
wear-induced manner between brake linings and the brake disc, the
brake application device and the adjusting device being inserted
into a receiving space in a preassembled state as one structural
unit.
[0004] Here, the receiving space which receives said functional
parts is provided in a housing which is connected to a caliper back
via two tie rods which are arranged in parallel and at a spacing
from one another.
[0005] The brake application device has a pneumatically or
electromechanically actuable brake lever which is mounted pivotably
in the receiving space and by way of which a central brake plunger
can be pressed against a brake application-side brake lining.
[0006] In order to assemble said functional parts, the receiving
space has an assembly opening on its side which faces the tie rods,
which assembly opening is closed by way of a closure cover in order
to protect the functional parts after they have been assembled.
Said assembly opening is of approximately rectangular configuration
with two longitudinal sides which lie opposite one another and
extend toward the tie rods, and two narrow sides which run
transversely with respect to said longitudinal sides.
[0007] In the case of a brake caliper which is configured as a
sliding caliper, the brake caliper moves in the direction of the
brake disc and drives a reaction-side brake lining with it on
account of the reaction forces which occur, until the two brake
linings bear against the brake disc in a braking manner.
[0008] The brake caliper therefore has to have a sufficient
strength, in order for it to be possible for the forces which occur
to be absorbed. To this end, the known brake caliper is configured
in one piece as a cast part and is of corresponding dimensions. A
brake caliper of the generic type is disclosed in DE 10 2012 008
573 A1.
[0009] One substantial criterion for the long term functionality of
the brake caliper is the rigidity of the overall system.
Elasticities of the components which are involved, in particular of
the brake disc, the brake linings and the brake caliper, result in
a loss of stroke which, as a result of the transmission ratio of
the brake lever, has an effect on the required stroke of a brake
cylinder plunger which acts on the brake lever during a brake
operation. A minimization of the elasticities, that is to say a
brake system which is as rigid as possible, is therefore
sought.
[0010] In the case of an action of force on supporting surfaces in
the brake caliper, which surfaces, in addition to the brake lever
mount, also include the brake lining bearing face, the brake
caliper is as it were stretched, attempts already having been made
to achieve a higher rigidity of the brake caliper by way of the
material selection and shape, but without a satisfactory result up
to now.
[0011] The invention is based on the object of developing a brake
caliper of the generic type in such a way that the brake caliper
has a higher rigidity in the case of loading.
[0012] As has been shown surprisingly, a considerable increase in
the rigidity of the brake caliper is achieved by way of the
assembly opening which is considerably smaller than in the prior
art, the flange which is provided according to the invention
forming a reinforcing bar with respect to the tie rods which are
subjected, in particular, to flexural loading.
[0013] The assembly opening is preferably delimited by way of a
flange on one of its narrow sides, said flange forming an undercut
in the receiving space, which undercut makes it possible to
assemble the brake application and adjusting devices which are
present as one structural unit without problems.
[0014] To this end, said structural unit (as otherwise discussed in
DE 10 2012 008 573 A1 which was cited as prior art) is first of all
pivoted through the assembly opening into that region of the
receiving space which is defined by way of the undercut, is
subsequently pushed completely into the receiving space, and is
displaced transversely with respect thereto into a final position,
until there is a central arrangement of the brake plunger.
[0015] In accordance with a further concept of the invention, the
threaded bores, into which screws for fastening the closure cover,
by way of which the assembly opening can be closed, are screwed,
are arranged exclusively in the edge regions which lie opposite one
another, extend in the direction of the tie rods, and as it were
form the longitudinal sides of the assembly openings, since
sufficient material is available here, in order to make the
threaded bores.
[0016] In accordance with a further concept of the invention, that
outer edge region of the assembly opening which faces away from the
receiving space is of elevated configuration in the sense of a
shoulder which aids required machining for contact of the closure
cover, in so far as satisfactory chip breaking which considerably
facilitates the production is achieved as a result.
[0017] In addition or as an alternative, a level face is provided
on the outer side, that is to say on the visible side, preferably
as a depression which is also formed during casting of the brake
caliper which is produced from cast iron.
[0018] Said face serves substantially for attaching signs, for
example in respect of the model name or as a customer logo.
[0019] Up to now, model names and customer logos have been
integrally formed during casting of the brake caliper, which is
associated with considerable costs, however, in particular if
customer-dependent special casting tools are required, frequently
only low customer-specific quantities being produced.
[0020] In contrast, the brake caliper which is novel to this extent
affords considerable cost advantages since, for example, a customer
assignment can take place after production of the brake caliper by
way of attaching of the corresponding sign on the level face.
[0021] Said attaching or fastening can take place in a different
way. Connections by way of adhesive bonding, screw connections,
riveting, stamping, clamping or the like are conceivable.
[0022] The roughness of the unfinished casting surface aids the
integrally joined connection by way of adhesive bonding, which can
otherwise be realized with extremely low production outlay.
[0023] In accordance with a further concept of the invention, the
depression which preferably has a rectangular contour is provided
on a side of the housing, which side is adjacent with respect to
the dome of the brake caliper, in a region which is mechanically
loaded to a low extent. In principle, however, the depression can
be provided at any visible point of the brake caliper, the depth of
the depression preferably being dimensioned to be so low that the
plate which is to be attached therein runs flush with the adjoining
surface.
[0024] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a sectional illustration of a disc brake having
a brake caliper according to an embodiment of the invention, in a
plan view.
[0026] FIG. 2 shows the disc brake according to FIG. 1 in cross
section according to the line II-II in FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 3 shows the disc brake according to FIG. 1 in a
partially sectioned plan view.
[0028] FIG. 4 shows a brake caliper of the disc brake according to
FIG. 1 on its own, in a perspective plan view.
[0029] FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of a brake caliper
according to the invention, in a perspective plan view.
[0030] FIG. 6 shows an enlarged detail of the brake caliper
according to FIG. 5, likewise illustrated diagrammatically.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIGS. 1-3 depict a disc brake, having a brake caliper 1
which engages over a vehicle-side brake disc 11 which rotates in
the direction of the arrow during forward driving, which brake
caliper 1 has a housing 2, lying opposite a caliper back 4, and two
tie rods 5 which are arranged in parallel and at a spacing from one
another and connect the housing 2 and the caliper back 4 to one
another. The brake caliper 1 is held displaceably on a brake
carrier by means of plain bearings 16.
[0032] Brake linings 10 are positioned in the brake caliper 1 on
both sides of the brake disc 11, a brake plunger 9 which can be
pressed by means of a pivotable brake lever 8 bearing against a
brake lining 10 which is assigned to the brake application device
6.
[0033] The housing 2 encloses a receiving space 3, in which the
brake application device 6 and the adjusting device 7 are arranged,
it being possible for an air play which changes in a wear-induced
manner, that is to say the spacing between the brake lining 10 and
the brake disc 11, to be compensated for by means of the adjusting
device 7.
[0034] The assembly of the brake application and adjusting devices
6, 7 which are preferably present as one structural unit takes
place through an approximately rectangular assembly opening 17 of
the receiving space 3 which assembly opening 17 can be seen
particularly clearly in FIG. 4 which illustrates the brake caliper
1 on its own and is arranged on the side facing brake
application-side brake lining 10, and which is closed by way of a
closure cover 12 after an assembly of the structural unit. Here,
the assembly opening 17 is delimited by way of longitudinal sides
18 which extend in the direction of the tie rods 5 and narrow sides
19 which run transversely with respect to said longitudinal sides
18.
[0035] As can be seen in FIG. 1, in particular, the assembly
opening 17 is delimited according to the invention by way of a
flange 13 which is integrally formed on one of its narrow sides 19
and forms a wall and an undercut 20 of the receiving space 3, the
web-like flange 13 extending in an imaginary continuation of the
assembly opening 17 in the outlet region of the brake disc 11. This
results in an asymmetrical arrangement of the assembly opening 17
in relation to the axis of symmetry X of the receiving space 3. The
height of the flange 13 corresponds at least to the associated
height of the assembly opening 17, whereas the thickness of the
flange 13 is considerably smaller than its width.
[0036] It can be seen, furthermore, that the flange 13 is arranged
on that side of the receiving space 3 which lies opposite the
adjusting device 7, the flange 13 delimiting a pivoting space
toward the receiving space 3 by way of the undercut 20, by way of
which pivoting space the assembly of the brake application
device/adjusting device 6, 7 structural unit is possible.
[0037] As indicated in FIG. 3, the initially obliquely lying
structural unit is guided here into the pivoting space (arrow Y),
is subsequently pivoted into a right-angled position toward the
brake disc 11, and is afterward displaced out of the region of the
pivoting space until the brake plunger 9 assumes a central position
with respect to the associated brake lining 10 (arrow Z).
[0038] FIG. 1 shows a circumferential edge 14 of the assembly
opening 17, which edge 14 is of elevated configuration on the side
which faces away from the receiving space 3, and against which edge
14 the closure cover 12 bears tightly.
[0039] The latter is fastened by means of screws 15 to the brake
caliper 1, threaded bores 21 which can be seen in FIG. 3 being made
in the brake caliper 1, which threaded bores 21 are provided
exclusively in the edge regions which lie opposite one another and
form the longitudinal sides 18 of the assembly opening 17.
[0040] As can be seen clearly in FIG. 5, the receiving space 3 has
an integrally formed dome 23 which receives a lever arm of the
pivotable brake lever 8, on which, for example, a plunger of a
brake cylinder acts.
[0041] On an adjacent side of the dome 23, a level face 22 is
configured on the visible outer face of the housing 2, which level
face 22 is recessed with respect to the adjoining region and thus
forms a depression.
[0042] Said face 22 is configured substantially as an elongate
rectangle in such a way that a likewise level sign can be fastened
to it.
[0043] FIG. 6 shows the region of the housing 2 on an enlarged
scale, on which region the level face 22 is configured on an
adjoining side of the dome 23.
LIST OF DESIGNATIONS
[0044] 1 Brake caliper [0045] 2 Housing [0046] 3 Receiving space
[0047] 4 Caliper back [0048] 5 Tie rod [0049] 6 Brake application
device [0050] 7 Adjusting device [0051] 8 Brake lever [0052] 9
Brake plunger [0053] 10 Brake lining [0054] 11 Brake disc [0055] 12
Closure cover [0056] 13 Flange [0057] 14 Edge [0058] 15 Screw
[0059] 16 Plain bearing [0060] 17 Assembly opening [0061] 18
Longitudinal side [0062] 19 Narrow side [0063] 20 Undercut [0064]
21 Threaded bore [0065] 22 Level face [0066] 23 Dome
[0067] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to
illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since
modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit
and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the
art, the invention should be construed to include everything within
the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *